DEAL CANCELLED: Arsenal pulled out of transfer for 27-year-old superstar after Berta decided on the huge transfer fee
Arsenal’s pursuit of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera has ‘completely stalled’ after the two clubs failed to agree on a transfer fee, Mirror journalist Alan Smith has revealed.
The Spanish centre-back is believed to be keen on leaving Valencia for the Emirates this summer and has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, although club-to-club talks have not made much progress.
Valencia are understood to be demanding in excess of £20m for Mosquera and rejected Arsenal’s initial offer worth around £12m.
Mosquera is in the final year of his contract at Valencia and was recently offered an extension amid interest from several clubs across Europe.
Reports claim the 21-year-old defender was initially keen on staying at Mestalla for the foreseeable future before learning of Premier League interest and having his head turned by Arsenal.
Mosquera has already informed Valencia that he would prefer to link up with compatriot Mikel Arteta this summer and also has admirers at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
Arsenal see Mosquera as ‘the ideal understudy’ to William Saliba but will need to pay a substantial fee to get the deal done, as Valencia want more than £20m and were left unhappy by the Gunners’ opening bid.
The North London club’s summer business has picked up pace in recent days, with former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and ex-Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi officially announced as the first signings.
Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard is also expected to join in the coming days, while talks are progressing for Sporting Lisbon star striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal are said to have agreed a five-year contract worth £200,000 a week with the Sweden international, who is now ‘pushing’ to leave Portugal in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
